10 Questions with CMU defensive lineman Frank Zombo

Frank Zombo enters his senior year with the Central Michigan University football team on the Lombardi Award watchlist as one of the nation's top defensive linemen. Saginaw News writer Geoff Mott caught up with the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Sterling Heights native for 10 questions at Tuesday's media day at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

1. Well, you're back to fall camp. Is this the best time of year for you?
I'm pretty excited to be back for my senior year. The offseason takes forever. It's nice to be back on the field finally playing again.

2. Are you surprised at how fast your time at Central has gone?
Coming in here at that first football camp as a freshman, I sat there wondering what I'm doing with my life. The seniors are telling me it will fly by and fly by and I never believed them. Now that I'm here, it's amazing at how quick it really has gone.

3. You had surgery on your shoulder and missed all of spring ball. Were you concerned that you may miss time for your senior year?
It's a frequent injury and I've seen a lot of guys recover. I wasn't too nervous and I knew I needed the surgery. I played half a season with it popping in and out. But in these first two weeks of camp, I haven't had any problems. I'm quite happy with the surgery.

4. Could you have imagined coming in here and getting a chance to earn a trip to a fourth-straight bowl game?
Definitely not. Coming here to Central, it was not as successful as it is now. Our locker room, the facility, the stadium and the fans ... that all changed into a great atmosphere. It's just awesome to look back on it.

5. You're on the Lombardi Award watchlist. What makes you a good defensive end?
My motor. It's my passion to get to the quarterback. You can have as many techniques and skills as you want, but you need that passion to get to the quarterback and I believe I have that.

6. Is there a part of your game that you hope to improve on heading into this season?
Playing when I'm tired. That's the hardest thing to do. There's a quote: "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." I really believe in that. When you're tired, it's so hard to play and I'd love to perfect that as a senior.

7. You guys open with tough games at Arizona and Michigan State. Is there a sense of nervousness to start in two tough places for your senior year, or is that why you play college football?
It's fun traveling, I know that. You get closer to your teammates on trips like that. Of course I like it when the stadium is full of maroon and gold and there's 30,000 people cheering for you. But being in different venues is pretty exciting as well.

8. While you have high expectations for this season, is it hard to not think about a future at the professional level?
I think about it, but I don't worry about. I just come out and play my game, play hard on every snap and the scouts will see that. It's not on my mind though. I'm out here to have fun, win a championship and let everything take care of itself.

9. Can you describe the interaction between you and the opposing team's offensive tackle over the course of the game?
You try to get that first sack right off the bat. That changes the whole mood of the game. You can get an edge on him right there. If you get him down, it can be a pretty fun game from there.

10. What will you miss most about your time at CMU?
That student section is a lot of fun. Running out of the helmet before a game and into that sea of a the student section. There's no feeling quite like it. Or after a victory, coming out to see your family and seeing all the coaches smiling. That's a great feeling I'll miss.